Planning a trip to Simatai Great Wall? You’re in the right place. Simatai sits near Gubeikou Town in Miyun, about 120 km northeast of Beijing. It’s one of the most dramatic Great Wall sections near the city. Expect steep climbs, wild mountain views, and a real sense of history under your feet.
This guide focuses on one thing: how to get to Simatai Great Wall from Beijing without stress. First, pick the transport option that fits your style. Then follow the steps and enjoy the ride.
At a Glance: Best Options by Travel Style (Ruqin’s Quick Pick)
- Best overall (first-timers): Direct bus to Gubei Water Town (no transfers)
- Most flexible: Private car (best for night tours)
- Most scenic: S5 train + shuttle
- Best budget: Public bus + transfers (slower)
Quick note: Tickets and entry times can change, so I always double-check before I go.
1. How to Get to Simatai Great Wall
When planning how to visit Simatai Great Wall, one of the most common questions is about transportation. Fortunately, there are convenient options for reaching this area, located roughly 140 km northeast of Beijing’s city center.
Option A: Direct Bus to Gubei Water Town + Simatai Great Wall (Best for First-Timers)
If you want the simplest plan, take the direct bus to Gubei Water Town. You skip transfers and arrive right at the main gateway.
Looking for a relaxing day trip that blends Gubei Water Town with Great Wall views? This one-day shuttle tour to Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall is just what you need.
📍 Start Your Day at Dongzhimen (Departure on FRI, SAT, SUN and MON)
Meet at Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub (东直门交通枢纽).(first floor hall) by 8:00 AM.
Tip: Arrive 15 minutes early to find your shuttle easily.
You can get there via Subway Line 2 (Exit B or E)—just turn left into the hub and look for the Beijing Tourist Information Booth. Or, take Line 13 (Exit H)—the booth is directly across.
The Journey:
Board your tour bus and enjoy a 2-hour ride to the scenic Gubei Water Town.
Explore Freely:
Arrive around 9:45 AM. Spend the day wandering cobbled streets, soaking in the lakeside views, or hiking the Simatai section of the Great Wall. It’s a picture-perfect escape from city life.
Return to Beijing:
At 4:30 PM, meet at the Gubei parking lot for the ride back.
Drop-offs:
- ~5:50 PM at Shaoyaoju Subway Station
- ~6:10 PM at Dongzhimen Transport Hub
📌 Note: Times may shift slightly depending on traffic. Follow on-site staff for updates.
How to Book:
Reserve your spot easily via the WeChat App or the official Chinese website: https://83531111.com/
Prefer a call? Just dial the 24-hour hotline: 010-83531111.
Tickets & Inclusions:
Adult ticket: 268 RMB
This covers your round-trip bus fare, entrance fees and cabel car
Important to Know:
This is a shared group tour, and advance booking is required.
If the group doesn’t meet the minimum size, staff will call you by 6:30 PM the day before to update you.
Option B: Private Car or Tour (Most Flexible, Best for Night Visit)
If you want to see Simatai at sunset or at night, a private car is the smoothest choice. You control the timing, and you won’t worry about missing the last bus.
Step-by-step
- Book a private transfer or ask your hotel to arrange a car.
- Set your pickup time early if you want fewer crowds.
- Ask the driver to confirm the return plan before you start hiking.
- After your visit, meet at the agreed spot and head back to Beijing.
Ruqin tip: If you’re doing the night tour, tell the driver in advance. Night returns need planning.
If it’s your first time in Beijing, a guided transfer or tour is a great way to visit Simatai Great Wall with ease. Many tours include pickup from central Beijing, round-trip transport, a knowledgeable guide, and even lunch. You won’t need to worry about planning the details—just enjoy the day.
👉 Book your Beijing Private Transfer to Simatai Great Wall (via Viator )
For a smooth and stress-free experience, we highly recommend booking through trusted international platforms. Trip.com, Klook, GetYourGuide, and Viator all offer reliable options. These sites are easy to use, especially for English-speaking travelers.
Option C: S5 Train (Beijing Suburban Train) + Connecting Bus
One of the best ways is to take Beijing’s Suburban Train Line S5 early morning train. First, you can take the early morning train from Beijing North Railway Station to Gubeikou Railway Station ( Gubeikou Town ). The journey typically takes about 2.5 hours, providing a scenic and comfortable ride through the outskirts of Beijing and into the countryside.
Kind reminder: The Beijing Suburban Train operates like the subway, and its entrance is separate from the main Beijing North Railway Station. Please avoid entering Beijing North Railway Station for a security check. Instead, access the Beijing Suburban Train through the entrance located next to McDonald’s, in the underground area connected to Subway Lines 2, 4, and 13.
Trains run twice daily and do not require reservations. Simply treat it like a subway, free seating — just scan or swipe, and you’re on your way.
Here is the train timetable for the Beijing North Station to Gubeikou Station route on the Huairou-Miyun suburban railway line (S5 Line):
| Route | Train | Departure Time | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing North Station → Gubeikou Station | S501 | 06:55 (Get up early and don’t miss the train! The only train in the morning. | 09:23 |
| Beijing North Station → Gubeikou Station | S503 | 14:20 | 16:50 |
| Gubeikou Station → Beijing North Station | S502 | 10:00 | 12:28 |
| Gubeikou Station → Beijing North Station | S504 | 17:20 (Don’t miss the train, the only train in the afternoon) | 19:52 |
Train times can change. For the latest S5 schedule, check China Railway’s official 12306 website/app (English available).
There is a dedicated official shuttle bus connecting to the Simatai Great Wall. The bus waits in the parking lot for passengers arriving by train who are heading to Simatai and the water town. So, there’s no need to worry—it will be there to pick you up.
Gubeikou Railway Station – Simatai Great Wall by road: 16km
Gubeikou Railway Station – Jinshanling Great Wall by road : 17 km
Gubeikou Railway Station – Gubeikou Great Wall ( Panlongshan) by raod: 7km
Gubeikou Great Wall – Simatai Great Wall by road: 11km
Option D: Self-Driving
If you prefer driving, you can reach Simatai in about two hours from Beijing, depending on traffic. Simply take the Jingcheng Expressway (G45) and exit at Simatai (Exit 24).
From there, follow the roadside signs to Gubei Water Town, which is only a short drive further. This option offers flexibility, as you can explore at your own pace. Parking is available at Gubei Water Town.
Option E: Public Transportation
For travelers relying on public transportation, taking the bus from Beijing is a popular option. Start by taking Bus No. 980 from Dongzhimen Transport Hub in central Beijing. Get off at Gulou (Drum Tower) Station in Miyun County, then transfer to Local Bus No. 51 or 38, which heads to Simatai Village.
From Simatai Village, Gubei Water Town is approximately 1.5 km away and can be reached on foot. Although public transit can take longer, it is affordable and gives you a taste of local life.
2. How to Get Back to Beijing (Return Trip)
This part matters more than people think. Simatai is beautiful, but it’s not the easiest place to “figure out later.”
If you took the direct bus/shuttle
- Return is usually simple because the bus goes back to Beijing.
- First, confirm the last departure time as soon as you arrive.
- Next, set an alarm on your phone so you don’t lose track of time.
- Finally, arrive at the pickup point early, especially on weekends.
If you hired a private car
- Agree on a clear meeting point before you start exploring.
- Then message the driver 20–30 minutes before you finish.
- If you’re visiting at night, plan a fixed departure time.
If you took the S5 train route
- Check the last train time earlier in the day.
- Then build a time buffer for transfers back to the station.
- If you miss the last connection, you may need a taxi or to stay overnight.
If you used public buses
- Start heading back before it gets too late.
- Buses can slow down or fill up in peak season.
- If it feels uncertain, consider taking a taxi back to a major station first.
Ruqin tip: If you’re aiming for the night visit, staying one night near Gubei can turn a stressful return into a relaxed evening.
3. How to Buy Tickets for Simatai Great Wall
Knowing how to buy tickets for Simatai Great Wall is essential for planning your visit. There are two main ticketing options: combined tickets for Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall, or Simatai-only tickets.
Combined Ticket for Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall
If you plan to explore both Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall, you can purchase a combo ticket at the Gubei Water Town Tourist Center. With this ticket, you can enjoy the historical charm of the water town before beginning your Great Wall adventure. No advance booking is necessary for the combo ticket, so you can buy it on the day of your visit.
Simatai Great Wall Only
For those interested only in Simatai, you must reserve a ticket at least one day in advance. This is due to the restricted access policy at Simatai, which limits visitor numbers to protect the Wall. You can book tickets for up to 10 days in advance. Once booked, collect your ticket at the Gubei Water Town Tourist Center. After ticket collection, you can either hike or take a short golf cart ride to the Simatai entrance.
Entry Times for Simatai Great Wall Only
Simatai-only ticket holders have four entry time slots each day: 09:00, 10:00, 13:00, and 14:00. This schedule helps manage crowds and keeps the experience more serene.
Ticket Prices
Daytime Ticket (Excludes Cable Car): RMB 40 per person
Ticket + One-Way Cable Car: RMB 110 per person
Ticket + Round-Trip Cable Car: RMB 180 per person
Opening Hours:
Daytime: Open from 09:00 to 17:00 (ticket sales end at 15:00, last entry at 15:00)
Nighttime: Open from 18:00 to 22:40 (last entry at 20:40
Simatai Great Wall Night Tour
The ticket price for the Simatai Great Wall Night Tour is RMB 280, which includes a round-trip cable car ride and entry to Gubei Water Town.
Ticket Price and Inclusions
Ticket Price: RMB 280, including a round-trip cable car ride and Gubei Water Town admission.
Cable Car Cost: One-way RMB 90, round-trip RMB 160.
Opening Hours: The Simatai Great Wall night tour typically begins at dusk, though exact times may vary, so it’s recommended to check in advance.
Activities: During the night tour, visitors can enjoy drone and sky lantern shows at 19:30 and 20:40, with each show lasting about 10 minutes.
Booking Method and Ticket Purchase Channels
Visitors can make reservations and purchase tickets through online ticketing platforms. The specific steps are as follows:
1）Booking through Gubei Water Town’s official website: Tickets Booking
2) Visit a ticketing platform (such as Qunar or Ctrip, trip.com).
3) Select the Simatai Great Wall ticket and choose a suitable date and time slot.
4) After completing the payment, the system will generate an electronic ticket. Visitors should save this electronic ticket for use when entering the park
5) For ticket reservations, you can also call the hotline at +86 10 8100 9999 (open 09:00–17:00).
Once you know How to Get to Simatai Great Wall from Beijing, the whole trip feels much easier. Pick the option that matches your day—direct bus for simplicity, the S5 train for a slower scenic ride, or a private car if you want total freedom.
Then give yourself a little time to enjoy Gubei Water Town before you head up to the Wall. Simatai is steep, dramatic, and quietly unforgettable. If you plan your return early and keep an eye on the last bus or train, you can relax and take it all in—one watchtower at a time.
Further Reading
Mutianyu and Simatai Great Wall with Gubei Water Town 2-Day Tour
Simatai Great Wall, Gubei Water Town and Jinshanling Great Wall 2-Day Tour
Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town Day Tour
Thank you so much for the information. We’ll be arriving in Simatai from the north, but then want to take the bus back to Gubeikou train station when we leave. Can you provide the location of the bus pick up and drop off location in Simatai/Gubei Water Town? Thanks!
Also, one other question. I see the train schedule posted. Do you have the schedule for the bus as well? In particular, what time does it leave Simatai/Gubei Water Town to head back to Gubeikou Station? Thanks!
Hi Chad,
Thanks for your questions! Happy to help.
For the shuttle between Simatai/Gubei Water Town and Gubeikou train station:
From Gubeikou Station to Gubei Water Town (Simatai): The shuttle usually departs shortly after the S5 suburban train arrives. For example, if you’re on train S501 arriving at 09:23, the shuttle typically leaves around 09:30.
From Gubei Water Town (Simatai) to Gubeikou Station: The return shuttle is timed to connect with the return S5 train (like S502, which departs at 10:00 AM). It’s best to be at the shuttle pick-up point at least 30 minutes early. The pick-up spot is inside the scenic area, usually near the Visitor Service Center.
Schedules may vary slightly depending on the season, so I recommend checking your exact return train time (Gubeikou to Beijing North), then contacting the Gubei Water Town Visitor Center once you’re there to confirm the most current shuttle schedule.
Let me know if you’d like help contacting them or if you need anything else!
Warm regards,
Daniel
Ruqin China Travel Team
That is incredibly helpful. Thank you very much!